Hybrid Tea rose plant named ‘Wezgrey’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Hybrid Tea rose plant is provided which forms attractive double blossoms that are a blend of soft white and lavender. The plant exhibits an upright, vigorous and uniform growth habit, dense medium green foliage, and good disease resistance. The attractive medium green foliage contrasts nicely with the light-colored blossoms. The new plant growth commonly assumes a burgundy appearance. The new variety is particularly well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation in the landscape such as in parks and gardens. Cut flower production also is possible.

Botanical/commercial classification: Rosa hybrida/Hybrid Tea Rose Plant.

Varietal denomination: cv. ‘Wezgrey’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of Rosa hybrida Hybrid Tea rose plant was created byartificial pollination wherein two parents were crossed which previouslyhad been studied in the hope that they would contribute the desiredcharacteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) of the newvariety was the ‘Silver Spoon’ variety (non-patented in the UnitedStates). The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) was the ‘Wezip’variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,552). The ‘Wezip’ variety is marketedunder the PARADISE trademark. The parentage of the new variety can besummarized as follows:

‘Silver Spoon’×‘Wezip’.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and smallplants were obtained which were physically and biologically differentfrom each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of asingle plant of the new variety.

It was found that the new variety of Hybrid Tea rose plant of thepresent invention possesses the following combination ofcharacteristics:

(a) exhibits an upright, vigorous and uniform growth habit,

(b) forms attractive double blossoms that are a blend of soft white andlavender,

(c) forms dense medium green semi-glossy foliage that contrasts wellwith the light-colored blossoms,

(d) exhibits good disease resistance, and

(e) is particularly well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry andcan be grown to advantage for cut flower production, as a specimenplant, or in a mass planting.

The new variety of the present invention can be readily distinguishedfrom its ancestors. More specifically, the new Hybrid Tea rose plantforms blossoms that are a blend of soft white and lavender havingapproximately 26 petals on average and a moderate fruity fragrance. The‘Silver Spoon’ variety forms blossoms of a mauve blend without fragrancehaving approximately 35 petals on average. The ‘Wezip’ variety formssilvery lavender blossoms with a ruby-red margin having approximately 28petals on average.

The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation by anumber of routes, including budding, grafting, and cuttage. Asexualpropagation by the above-mentioned techniques at Wasco, Calif. has shownthat the characteristics of the new variety are stable and are strictlytransmissible by such asexual propagation from one generation toanother.

The new variety has been named the ‘Wezgrey’ variety. The new variety isbeing marketed under the WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL ROSE trademark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same, in color illustrations of this character,typical specimens of the plant parts of the new variety. The rose plantsof the new variety were three years of age and were observed during Julywhile growing in containers on ‘Dr. Huey’ rootstock at West Grove, Pa.The containers were present in an open unheated growing hut. Dimensionsin centimeters are indicated at the bottom of each photograph exceptFIG. 4.

FIG. 1—illustrates a specimen of a young shoot;

FIG. 2—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thesepals;

FIG. 3—illustrates a specimen of a flower in the course of opening;

FIG. 4—illustrates a specimen of an open flower—plan view—obverse;

FIG. 5—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showing thearrangement of the stamens and pistils;

FIG. 6—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showing thearrangement of the pistils (stamens removed);

FIG. 7—illustrates a specimen of a flowering stem with foliage;

FIG. 8—illustrates a specimen of a main branch;

FIG. 9—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with five leaflets—planview—under surface;

FIG. 10—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with five leaflets—planview—upper surface; and

FIG. 11—illustrates a specimen of maturing petals with upper surface atthe left and the under surface at the right.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart—1986). The description isbased on the observation of two year-old plants during October whilegrowing on their own roots outdoors at Wasco, Calif. Color terminologyis to be accorded its ordinary dictionary significance.

Class: Hybrid Tea.

Plant:

Height.—Approximately 4 feet at the end of the growing season.

Width.—Approximately 2 feet at the end of the growing season.

Habit.—Upright.

Branches:

Color.—Young stems: slightly glaucescent, Yellow-Green Group 144A andshading to 144C. Adult wood: Yellow-Green Group 146B.

Diameter.—Stems commonly are approximately 12 to 14 mm in diameter atthe end of the growing season.

Prickles.—Size: approximately 5 mm in length on average. Quantity:moderately numerous, approximately 15 true thorns plus bristles on astem having a length of 30 cm. Color: Near Yellow-Green Group 144A and144B with a slight greyed-orange tint on when present young stems, andGreyed-Orange Group 173D near the base and shading to near and throughGreyed-Orange Group 174B to 174D, and at the tip near Greyed-OrangeGroup 174A on mature stems of current-season growth. Shape: nearlystraight to slightly convex on the upper side and concave on the underside.

Leaves:

Stipules.—Narrow, triangular, and with auricle facing outwards.

Petioles.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 144C, commonly withscattered minute stiff glandular hairs. Under surface: Yellow-GreenGroup 144A, and typically glabrous, but may sometimes bear 1 or 2prickles that are curved and approximately 1.8 mm in length. Size:approximately 33 mm in length on average and approximately 2 mm indiameter on average when present with a five-leaflet leaf.

Rachis.—The upper surface commonly has scattered minute stiff glandularhairs that average approximately 0.3 mm in length, and commonly bearsapproximately 1 to 6 pronounced prickles per leaf that are up toapproximately 2.5 mm in length.

Size.—A typical five-leaflet leaf commonly is approximately 12 to 17 cm.(average approximately 15 cm) in length and approximately 11 to 11.5 cm(average approximately 11.1 cm) in width.

Leaflets.—Number: 3, 5, and 7. Shape: ovate with serrate margins,rounded base and acute apices. Size: the terminal leaflets offive-leaflet leaves commonly are approximately 58 to 75 mm (averageapproximately 69 mm) in length, and approximately 43 to 55.5 mm (averageapproximately 51 mm) in width. Serration: regular. Texture: glabrous andglaucescent for younger foliage, thinly to moderately coriaceous formature foliage. General appearance: dense, leathery, medium green, andwith a semi-glossy finish. Color (young foliage): Upper surface: nearGreyed-Purple Group 187A and shading towards Purple Group 79A. Undersurface: primarily Greyed-Purple Group 183D with shading ofGreyed-Purple Group 183B and 183C, and 184A and 184B. Color (adultfoliage): Upper surface: near Green Group 137A with shading to GreenGroup 139A. Under surface: near Greyed-Green Group 191A. Venationpattern: pinnately reticulated. Venation color: on the upper surfacenear Green Group 143A and 143B, and on the lower surface near andthrough Green Group 139D and Greyed-Green Group 193A.

Inflorescence:

First bud burst.—Commonly April 7th to 15th at Wasco, Calif., andcommonly June 7th to 15th at West Grove, Pa.

Flowering duration.—More or less continuously, though the number of openflowers on the plant may vary throughout the season.

Number of flowers.—Usually one to three flowers per stem.

Peduncle.—Yellow-Green Group 144B with prickles near Greyed-Purple Group185B, approximately 3 mm in diameter, and the length is approximately 6cm on average.

Sepals.—Upper surface: near Yellow-Green Group 144C with pubescence ofWhite Group 155D. Under surface: Yellow-Green Group 144C with someextensions. Number: five. Size: commonly approximately 20 to 25 mm(average approximately 23.2 mm) in length, and approximately 10 to 11.5mm (average approximately 10.4 mm) in width at the widest point. Color:Yellow-Green Group 144B to 144C.

Buds.—Shape: pointed. Size: large. Length: approximately 3 cm onaverage. Diameter: approximately 1.6 cm when sepals first separate.Color upon opening: Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 150D withhighlights of Purple Group 75D. Under surface: Yellow-Green Group 150D.

Flower.—Shape: double and high-centered. Diameter: approximately 7 cm onaverage. Color (when opening begins): Upper surface: near White Group155A and 155B. Under surface: combination of Red Group 56D and WhiteGroup 155A. Color (when blooming): Upper surface: near White Group 155Awith pinkish-lavender tones towards the margins. Under surface: nearWhite Group 155D with pinkish-lavender tones towards the margins. Color(at the end of opening): Upper surface: near White Group 155A withpinkish-lavender tones towards the margins. Under surface: near WhiteGroup 155D with pinkish-lavender tones towards the margins. Thespecified pinkish-lavender tones for both surfaces are present as broaddiffuse areas of varying intensity becoming more pronounced as theblossoms mature and are subtle in their presentation. Such tonescommonly are Red-Purple Group 62D and Purple Group 75D. Fragrance:present. Petal shape: orbicular. Petal margin: mostly entire and smoothnear the base, becoming somewhat repandos towards the apex, and with apronounced tendency to recurve outwards. The central portion of themid-range petals tends to be incised at the apex and the interior petalscommonly display substantial crinkling. Petal apex: broadly obtuse toslightly retuse. Petal base: broadly cuneate. Petal texture: glabrousand minimally coriaceous. Petal number: approximately 20 to 32(approximately 26 on average). Flower longevity: a typical flowercommonly lasts approximately 5 to 7 days from bud crack to petal drop onthe plant, and approximately 3 to 5 days when cut and placed in a vase.Stamen number: approximately 85 on average. Anthers: near Yellow-OrangeGroup 16B in coloration. Filaments: near Yellow-White Group 158B incoloration. Pistils: approximately 40 on average. Stigmas: nearYellow-Orange Group 18B in coloration. Styles: near Yellow-Orange Group18A in coloration. Receptacle: separate and free with achenes on thebottom and the wall. Hips: none observed during observations to date.

Development:

Vegetation.—Vigorous and uniform.

Blooming.—Mostly single blooms and sometimes in clusters.

Resistance to diseases.—Good.

Hardiness.—Performs well in U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone No. 7. With someprotection can be grown in Zone No. 6.

Plants of the ‘Wezgrey’ variety have not been observed while being grownunder all possible environmental conditions. Thus, the phenotypicexpression may vary somewhat with different light intensity andduration, and different cultural and environmental conditions.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Hybrid Tea rose plantcharacterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a)exhibits an upright, vigorous and uniform growth habit, (b) formsattractive double blossoms that are a blend of soft white and lavender,(c) forms dense medium green semi-glossy foliage that contrasts wellwith the light-colored blossoms, (d) exhibits good disease resistance,and (e) is particularly well suited for growing as attractiveornamentation;